Iraq dream of 2026 World Cup as Asian qualifying enters a new-look phase | John Duerden

09/03/2024 06:58 AM

Changes to the Asia qualifying process offer increased hope for unfamiliar names to reach 2026 finals

For some time now Asia's World Cup representatives have consisted of four from the quintet of South Korea, Japan, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Sometimes all five make it – as in 2018 and 2022 – and occasionally there is a gatecrasher as in 2010 with North Korea. For 2026, though, there will be eight automatic places on offer for the 18 teams that kick off the third round of qualification on Thursday and some unfamiliar names for global audiences.

For example, two out of the six-team Group B will qualify by next June, meaning that even assuming that South Korea make it for an 11th successive time, at least one of Oman, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq will join the East Asians in North America.